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2024 Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

269 Colleges in the United States
31,316 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$34,166 Avg Early-Career Salary
Natural Resources & Conservation degree programs are on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of popularity. In fact, the major ranks #25 out of the 38 majors we look at each year. While this may limit the number of schools that offer the degree program, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 269 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 31,316 degrees in natural resources & conservation during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Natural Resources & Conservation School

Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools Your choice of natural resources & conservation school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Natural Resources & Conservation School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Natural Resources & Conservation Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Natural Resources & Conservation
Bachelor's Degrees in Natural Resources & Conservation
Master's Degrees in Natural Resources & Conservation
Doctor's Degrees in Natural Resources & Conservation

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools list to help you make the college decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Natural Resources & Conservation in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of natural resources & conservation degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Natural Resources & Conservation

1
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
230 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
34.8% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat Yale University if you want to pursue a degree in natural resources & conservation. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were approximately 230 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year. Those natural resources & conservation students who get their degree from Yale University earn $25,323 more than the typical natural resources & conservation graduate.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Yale University

2
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
158 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$58,733 Median Starting Salary

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in natural resources & conservation. Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Cambridge. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were approximately 158 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the natural resources & conservation program at Harvard University get $24,567 above the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Harvard University

3
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
176 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$48,114 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in natural resources & conservation has to take a look at Duke University. Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were approximately 176 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year. Those natural resources & conservation students who get their degree from Duke University earn $13,948 more than the average natural resources & conservation grad.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Duke University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
550 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$51,358 Median Starting Salary

University of California - Berkeley is a great option for students interested in a degree in natural resources & conservation. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 550 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley get an earnings boost of about $17,192 above the typical earnings of natural resources & conservation majors.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of California - Berkeley

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
352 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
11.4% Growth in Graduates

U-M is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were about 352 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the natural resources & conservation program at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor make $5,364 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
74 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$59,243 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 74 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York receive an earnings boost of about $25,077 above the typical earnings of natural resources & conservation graduates.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Columbia University in the City of New York

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
243 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
16.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Denver, DU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 33 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were approximately 243 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at DU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the natural resources & conservation major at University of Denver get $30,589 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Denver

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
357 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$33,549 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 357 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, natural resources & conservation degree recipients usually make about $33,549 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Texas A&M University - College Station

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
110 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
2.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 110 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles earn a boost of about $2,732 over the typical earnings of natural resources & conservation majors.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of California - Los Angeles

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
347 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
4.0% Growth in Graduates

NC State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Raleigh. This university ranks 3rd out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were about 347 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at NC State in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from North Carolina State University earn a boost of about $11,195 over the typical earnings of natural resources & conservation graduates.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from North Carolina State University

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
367 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$30,105 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 13th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 367 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent data year. After graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients typically make around $30,105 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of California - Davis

12
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
36 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
11.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.

There were approximately 36 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the natural resources & conservation program report average early career wages of $30,489.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Brown University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
148 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$29,460 Median Starting Salary

UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Chapel Hill. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were about 148 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the natural resources & conservation program state that they receive average early career earnings of $29,460.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
106 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$29,011 Median Starting Salary

Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were about 106 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the natural resources & conservation program state that they receive average early career income of $29,011.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Cornell University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
261 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
6.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 261 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from University of Washington - Seattle Campus receive an earnings boost of about $5,867 over the average earnings of natural resources & conservation graduates.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
485 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$24,435 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were roughly 485 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural resources & conservation degree recipients generally make an average of $24,435 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Wisconsin - Madison

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
222 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$35,869 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 222 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the natural resources & conservation program make around $35,869 for their early career.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

18
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
42 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
11.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were approximately 42 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from Emory University get an earnings boost of approximately $2,654 above the average income of natural resources & conservation majors.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Emory University

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
406 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$42,501 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 406 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the natural resources & conservation degree program at University of California - Santa Barbara get $8,335 more than the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of California - Santa Barbara

20
Colby crest
Colby College
Waterville, ME
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
52 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
11.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the remote town of Waterville, Colby is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 2nd out of 19 schools for overall quality in the state of Maine.

There were roughly 52 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Colby in the most recent year we have data available. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from Colby College receive an earnings boost of around $2,990 above the average income of natural resources & conservation graduates.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Colby College

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
117 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$26,595 Median Starting Salary

University of Virginia is a fairly large public university located in the small suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 117 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the natural resources & conservation program report average early career earnings of $26,595.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Virginia - Main Campus

22
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
412 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
2.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population. This school ranks 2nd out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 412 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent data year. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from Virginia Tech earn a boost of approximately $4,856 above the average income of natural resources & conservation majors.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Virginia Tech

23
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
72 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
22.2% Growth in Graduates

UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the large city of Irvine. This university ranks 15th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 72 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the natural resources & conservation program state that they receive average early career wages of $34,369.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of California - Irvine

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
110 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
1.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Norman, University of Oklahoma is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 32 colleges for overall quality in the state of Oklahoma.

There were approximately 110 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at University of Oklahoma in the most recent year we have data available. Natural Resources & Conservation degree recipients from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus receive an earnings boost of about $6,970 above the average income of natural resources & conservation majors.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

25
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
41 Natural Resources & Conservation Degrees Awarded
$33,333 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Santa Clara, SCU is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 12th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 41 natural resources & conservation students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent data year. After graduating, natural resources & conservation degree recipients typically earn around $33,333 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in natural resources & conservation from Santa Clara University

Rest of the Top Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools

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38
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
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40
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Natural Resources & Conservation students that almost earned our Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
41University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MA
42Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO
43Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomington, IN
44Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR
45University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO
46University of FloridaGainesville, FL
47University of Maryland - College ParkCollege Park, MD
48Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
49South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD
50University of California - San DiegoLa Jolla, CA
51American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV
52American UniversityWashington, DC
53University of DelawareNewark, DE

Natural Resources & Conservation by Region

View the Best Natural Resources & Conservation Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Natural Resources & Conservation Majors to Study

MajorAnnual Graduates
Natural Resources Conservation22,926
Natural Resource Management3,039
Wildlife Management2,446
Forestry2,247
Fisheries Sciences506
Natural Resources Conservation (Other)152

View All Natural Resources & Conservation Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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